Audja releases the KickDrum drum synthesizer and OScope (freeware) oscilloscope plugins for Windows and macOS.
I will readily admit I don’t know much about drum synthesis. I can do kicks and snares and hi-hats all day while I struggle with toms here and there.
Audja KickDrum
Microtonic also makes me break out into a cold sweat. There is certainly something to be said about having a purpose-built kick for your songs. Audja’s KickDrum is a novel take on kick synthesis, with great visualization to boot.
There is a ton of control over kick synthesis. You can apply phase changes via the EQ, match it to the key of your song, and so much more. The visualization is hard to top, with robust visual feedback for most controls.
Simply put, you’re getting a great look at how your kick looks. It comes with a plethora of presets as well, so you’re not stuck looking for inspiration.
As a drum synth, this is built expressly for one purpose, and that’s absolutely fine. Given the launch price of €22, this is one of the most affordable around.
I can’t speak with full authority on how it stacks up to BigKick or Sonic Academy’s Kick. You’re not going to be blending transients and samples natively inside of the software. That’ll be more audio trickery on your end.
Audja OScope
In addition to KickDrum, you’ll also find Audja’s OScope available on their site, which is our main attraction. This is one of the best free oscilloscopes you’ll find available today. You can tempo sync, view stereo information, and freeze moments in time for deeper analysis.
There is something to be said about making music with your ears, which I think most of us do. However, a little visual feedback during the mixing and sound design stage of a track can go a long way to pinpoint problems.
Having the entire oscilloscope tempo-synced to your project is something I’ve never really considered, but it makes a huge change in how you approach the tool. It allows to more easily pinpoint problems analyze stereo width, and a whole host of other useful features.
So, is KickDrum worth a look? If you have an overwhelming need for kicks in your latest trance, techno, or other songs, then sure!
I have too many samples and too little time to use this in good conscience. That said, it has had a lot of care and deliberate design to make it a user-friendly experience. While you’re there, grab the oscilloscope, too, it’s a real visual treat.
UPDATE: BPB readers are reporting malware scan issues with the plugin (probably false positives but you can never be too cautious), so we are removing the link until the developer solves this issue.
Check out the deal: KickDrum (50% off during launch sale – €22)
Download: OScope (FREE)
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